The Baltimore Natural Hair Expo: The Aftermath

The Baltimore Natural Hair Expo 2011 is over and was a great and exciting event to meet and greet entrepreneurs, performers, and some other movers and shakers in the Natural business such as Queen Afua, and Asher(the lady with the longest hair ever). It was my first event as a vendor with Green Afro Diva and it was my chance to promote my brand and engage what it is people are looking for and their expectations. I brought my nephew with me to help me set up and watch the table in case I needed to get up or get something to eat. So many beautiful and fierce looking sistas were up in that place, all mingling along. It was great feeling the energy and everyone’s spirit.

I won’t disclose how much I made that day(because I think that’s tacky) but let’s just say, it was much, much more than what I would normally make at the farmer’s market. On Saturday, as the day went on, it just got more crowded and it was hard to move around. The event was held at the Pikesville Hilton which is right outside Baltimore. If you ever been to a job fair, it was set up in that same manor in the ballrooms. I was in one ballroom, and very visible, and the stage and performers got the larger ballroom. It felt like I was at an African flea Market at one point because of so many entrepreneurs selling dashiki’s, art, and jewelry. I seen some belts that I want that were gorgeous and looked like animal hide(of course I wouldn’t wear real animal ). I did my part by helping out one of the vendors, Chatto, because I needed something to stop my hair from itching and falling out. So I bought some styling creme, hair lotion, and hair spray. In 6 weeks, I should see something happening. Fingers crossed.  Now, I’ve always been known for being quiet and shy around people, but I’m quite the opposite. When I get in the zone, I can talk people up on the benefits of just about anything and that’s mostly due to doing my homework. I also have learned in the past, when selling, to let the product sell itself. If one person may not like it, 2 more will. Plus, it helps to give out freebies and samples and that allows you to bring people in by engaging them.

I was also interviewd for Voices of Hue and for another blog(I forgot the name miss Nevada if you’re reading. Sorry!!). It was on the spot and I was nervous as hell, but I got through. I knew I was gonna meet other fellow bloggers at the event, but I didn’t know I was gonna be interviewed. They shot my table and asked me some basic questions about who I was and what I was doing. Hopefully, the interviews get posted soon. I also got to meet some great wholesalers, Curly Cutie, who were looking for vendors with some potential to sell at their storefront and online store based in North Carolina. I’m jumping on that project, but that could take time because of my other obligation to finishing my degree. I’m hoping by the summer, I could snag my first wholesale account.

I’m about to go to bed and I could be adding some updates tomorrow. But I just wanted to share with the world, my experience as a vendor at a major event such as this, and how honored it was to be a part of such event and among talented people. I plan on attending again next year, but with more product and this time, my credit card machine.

Here are some more pics of the event:

Holy Sh*t I’m on youtube!!!!! Check me out: Green Afro Diva on Youtube